Abstract/Description

Studies on the rice-fish farming system have shown that fish production can be improved when a small pond is constructed adjacent to the rice field. These ponds act as refuges after the rice in harvested. Although rice fish-farming is an old...

Notes

Studies on the rice-fish farming system have shown that fish production can be improved when a small pond is constructed adjacent to the rice field. These ponds act as refuges after the rice in harvested.
Although rice fish-farming is an old practice it has not always been successful. Even if farmers stock with large fingerlings, the fish harvest is not really attractive. Enriching the water with manure fails to achieve the necessary growth before the rice is harvested.
So researchers from ICLARM and IRRI have been looking at ways to improve the system. They found that these constraints could be overcome if a small pond is constructed next to the rice field. Such refuge ponds allow farmers to stock fingerlings ahead of rice planting, and give the fish somewhere to go after harvest. The refuge pond makes it easier to give the fish supplementary feeding if so desired.
There are added benefits to having fish in the paddy. Herbivorous fish like tilapia will eat some weeds, and some of the detritus which can harbour bacteria. Other species of fish will help with insect control.
ICLARM
MC PO Box 1501
Makati Metro Manila
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